The new Ambassador of the United Mexican States designated to the Maldives, His Excellency Federico Salas Lofte has presented his credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih this morning at a ceremony held at the President’s Office.

Speaking at the call following the credentials ceremony, President Solih congratulated the Ambassador on the commencement of his term. The President had highlighted the Government’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, including the accelerated vaccination programme that is currently ongoing.

The President noted that the tourist arrivals during the last holiday season increased following the reopening of borders in July last year, and expressed hope for strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector between the Maldives and Mexico. The Ambassador noted that many Mexicans are looking forward to travelling to the Maldives and that a number of Mexicans are employed in the tourism sector in the Maldives in managerial posts and as chefs.

Adding that the Maldives was the first country to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the President further expressed confidence to engage with Mexico in the upcoming COP26 to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom this year, to identify mutually beneficial solutions to climate change and other environmental crises. The President and Ambassador discussed bilateral collaboration to pursue green energy products and explored the possibility of engaging Mexican private companies in the field of blue economy.

The call concluded with both the President and the Ambassador reiterating their common commitment to elevate the existing relationship between the Maldives and Mexico on common issues of interest in the coming years.

Maldives and Mexico established diplomatic relations on 15 November, 1975.